Washing-machine.



No. 629,702. Patented July 25, I899. W. F. STRICKER.

WASHING MACHINE.

{Application filed Feb. 18, 1899- 2 Sheets-Sheet I,

(No Model.)

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No. 629,702. Patented July 25, I899. W. F. STBICKEB.

WASHING MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 18, 1899.) v

(N o 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

| 2 I I Z i 3 H 5 25 -74 26 27 '30 UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM F. STRICKER, OF NASHVILLE, ILLINOIS.

WASHING-MACHINE.

SFECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 629,702, dated July 25, 1899.

Application filed February 18, 1899. Serial No. 705,999. (No model.)

' 1'0 all whom it may concern:-

The purpose of this invention is to improve the structure of the class of washing-machines embodyingin their organization a suds-box, a

drum rotatably mounted within the suds-box, and power mechanism for operating the drum, the latter being separable from the power mechanism to admit of the clothes or articles to be cleansed being readily and conveniently supplied thereto or removed therefrom.

The invention is also designed to provide simple and effective means for limiting the movement of the hinged cover when raised or turned back to admit of access to the interior of the suds-box for any purpose when required.

The invention is possessed of advantages other than those herein enumerated and which will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a Washingmachine constructed in accordance with this invention, showing the cover raised or thrown back and the bench or stand drawn out. Fig. 2 is a transverse section in line with the axis of the drum. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the link connection between thecover and the sudsbox. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the securing means for fastening the sections of the drum. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View showing the relation of the stand, its legs, and the rod for supporting the inner end thereof. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing the disposition of the parts when the stand is pushed beneath the suds-box.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The suds-box 1, which may be of any size and outline, is shown of rectangular form and is closed by a cover 2, which is hinged at one 'end thereto, the meeting edges of the box and cover being correspondingly notched to pro vide a clearance for the journals of the drum.

Longitudinal bars 3 are secured to the sides of the suds-box and project a short distance above the top edges thereof and are constructed to admit of the passage thereby of the journals ofthe drum. The projecting portions of the longitudinal bars overlap the joint formed between the meeting edges of the'sides of the box and cover and prevent the outward splash ing of the suds-water when the machine is in operation. The corner-posts or legs 4 are rigidly attached to the end portions of the box sides, and their upper ends abut against the lower edges of the longitudinal bars 3, thereby admitting of the weight of the parts supported upon the bars 3 being received directly thereon and wholly relieving the suds-box of such weight and the stress incident to the operation of the machine when in actual service. A

cross-bar 5 is applied to one end of the sudssel or receptacle containing the clothes after they have been washed and wrung and in condition to be hung upon the line for drying.

The hinged cover is supported in a raised position by means of pivoted links 10, which are attached at their upper ends to the sides of the cover and have their lower ends bent outwardly, as shown at 11, and engaging with shoulders 12, formed atthe upper ends of the contiguous posts by cutting away a portion thereof. Strap-irons 13 extend over the cutaway portions of the legs L and are secured at their lower ends thereto, and at their upper ends to the longitudinal bars 3, a space being provided between said irons and the cutaway portion of the legs and the rear ends of the bars 3 to receive the bent ends 11 of the links 10. This construction insures the engagement of the bent ends 11 with the shoulders 12 and a limiting of the upward and backward movement of the cover when elevated. The drum for receiving the clothes or articles to be cleansed is of substantially square form in longitudinal section and is composed of heads 14 and transverse slats 15, the lat ter being of square form and arranged with a set of corners facing inward and spaced apart, so as to provide openings for the ready ingress and egress of the suds-water. The edges of the heads 14 are formed with V-shaped notches corresponding to the corners of the slats 15 and which form seats to snugly receive the end portions thereof. The notching of the heads 14 in the manner set forth enables the slats to be readily placed in position and prevents their turning when subjectedito any strain. Moreover, the construction admits of the slats being easily detached to be turned to present new corners when the corners previously facing inward have become worn. Pins or studs 16 project inward from the heads 1 1 and from some of the slats 15 and are designed to prevent the entwining and bunching of the clothes when the drum is rotated, said pins serving to loosen the clothes, thereby admitting of the suds-water passing readily therethrough. The position and number of these pins or studs will depend in a great measure upon the sige and capacity of the machine and will vary according to existing conditions.

In order that access may be readily had to the interior of the drum, it is constructed in sections, which are hinged together and secured by means described in detail hereinafter. A plate 17 is secured to one section of the drum and a hook 18 is swivelly connected therewith. A hasp 19 ismounted at one end upon a rod 20, and its slotted end is adapted to receive the hook 18, the latter being turned to prevent the disengagement of the hasp therefrom after the parts have been properly connected. The middle portion of the rod 20 is deflected, and its ends are formed with eyes through which pass the fasteningswhereby it is attached to the other section of the druni.

An obliquely-disposed arm 21 is attached to one of the bars 3 and rises therefrom and supports the elements of the power mechanism. Inner and outer plates 22 and 23 are secured to the arm 21 and are transversely apertured to provide bearings for the shafts of the gear elements. The gear-wheel 24 is secured to the outer portion of the shaft 25 and is in mesh with the pinion 26, which is applied to the shaft 27, the latter being supplied with the crank 28 orother means for imparting an initial movement to the power mechanism. The shaft 25 extends a short distance beyond the inner face of the adjacent side of the sudsbox and is made angular or otherwise constructed so as to make positive engagement with the drum and impart a rotary movement thereto.

The drum, as herein stated, is adapted to make detachable connection with the power or driving mechanism and is of less width than the distance between the sides of the suds-box, so as to admit of its having a lateral movement sufficient to disconnect itfrom the inner end-of the shaft 25. A plate 29 is secured to one head of the drum and is form ed with a square opening to receive the square end of the shaft 25, and a second plate 30 is applied to the opposite head and is provided with a gudgeon 31, forming a journal, and which is reduced at its outer end, forming a shoulder 32 at. the base of the reduced portion to engage with the inner face of the contiguous bar 3 and prevent movement of the drum when the parts are in proper working relation. The reduced terminal portion of the gudgeon is the journal proper and is received between companion bearing-plates applied to the longitudinal bar 3 and to a block secured to the side of the cover, Fig. 2.

The bench or stand 9 is slidable in and out beneath the suds-box, and its side bars are longitudinally slotted, as shown at 34, to admit of the passage through the slots of the transverse rod 35, which supports the inner end of the bench when drawn out, as shown most clearly in Fig. 5, and to hold the folding legs 36 up out of the way when the bench is pushed in, as indicated in Fig. 6. The legs 36 are pivoted to the outer ends of the side bars of the bench and are of a width so as to fold into the space between the bottom of the suds-box and the portion of the side bar above the slot. The pivoted end of each leg is expanded or made Wider than its body, and an edge portion rests against the outer cross-bar of the bench to hold the leg when turned down into position for supporting the outer end of the bench.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is In a washing machine, the combination with a suds-box, a cover hinged thereto, and supporting-legs having their upper portions cut away forming shoulders, of links pivoted at their upper ends to the cover and having their lower ends bent outwardly to engage with the shoulders of the legs, and confiningstraps spaced from the cut-away portions of the legs and from the sides of the suds-box a distance to receive the links and their bent ends, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

A. F. FISCHER, JACOB Sonnnnnn. 

